Going vegan can help protect the environment

May 18, 2010

After the tragic oil rig explosion in the Gulf Coast, many people are rightfully concerned that the oil spill will reach our shorelines, polluting beaches and devastating marine life. Unfortunately, there is not much we can do to undo the destruction or bring back the workers who are presumed dead. We can, however, at least try to negate some of the environmental damage by making greener choices in our daily activities.

Choosing vegan foods, for example, can help reduce pollution and conserve resources. More than one-third of the fossil fuels produced in America are used to raise animals for food, and factory farm waste lagoons are a leading source of water pollution. According to the EPA, chicken, hog, and cattle excrement has polluted at least 35,000 miles of rivers in 22 states and contaminated groundwater in 17 states.

Eating vegan foods will help animals, too. Most of us aren't able to assist rescue groups in their efforts to save seabirds and other marine animals in the gulf, but we can each help save hundreds of other sentient animals by going vegan. Please see www.VegCooking.com for recipes.